Two Hikers Injured in Bear Attack Near Old Faithful

Two hikers suffered injuries in a bear attack Monday afternoon on the Mystic Falls Trail near Yellowstone National Park's Old Faithful geyser, park officials reported Tuesday.

The incident occurred along the heavily traveled trail, which features a loop leading to a 70-foot waterfall and starts about two miles northwest of Old Faithful. Officials described it as a single event involving one or more bears, though they did not identify the species. Yellowstone is home to both grizzly bears, which tend to be larger and more aggressive, and black bears, which often have darker fur. The two victims' conditions, ages, and whether they were hiking together or required hospitalization were not immediately released, according to park spokesperson Ashton Hooker.

In response, rangers closed a large section of the park around the Midway Geyser Basin pending an investigation. The restricted area encompasses at least five trails and several backcountry campsites.

Yellowstone draws more than 4 million visitors each year, and bear attacks remain rare. The park's most recent prior injury occurred in September on the Turbid Lake Trail northeast of Yellowstone Lake, where a hiker sustained chest...